Yosemite New Years Eve

[clownmidget]

Just made it back from some fun up in Yosemite NP during the New Years Eve weekend. Never could find the NorCal group but it snowed alot every day. Had one set of chains and after this will be buying another set so I'll have all 4 wheels. Lots of fun and not too many people in the right places.

 

[Echo_29]

The NorCal folks were hiding from you!

 

[pismojim]

Too bad we missed you. There were six of us caravaning through the valley on New Years Day. We had a blast at Devin's New Years bash. In fact, going to bed - in my case, a the tent on the snow covered front lawn - after 3:00 AM may have accounted for our late start. I think we were at the lookout behind you at around 2:00 PM.

A few pics when I find the camera....

Oh yeah,

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !!!!
C R U I S E R H E A D S

 

[pismojim]

Found the camera....

 

[pismojim]

Sometimes it's NOT about the wheeling....

 

[pismojim]

Happy New Year !!!

 

[offroadkid]

Just made it back from some fun up in Yosemite NP during the New Years Eve weekend. Never could find the NorCal group but it snowed alot every day. Had one set of chains and after this will be buying another set so I'll have all 4 wheels. Lots of fun and not too many people in the right places.

I always wondered about having chains for all 4 tires. So I bought chains for all 4 tires just incase. I haven't had to use them yet. What happened with just 2 on your rig? What axle? We're heading up to my parents house in Genoa, NV this coming weekend, and there's gonna be alot of snow I think. I like to go Hwy 88, and the last time we did, it was snowing alot, and the CHP just asked us if we were in 4WD, then told us to drive safe.

 

[Ian Rogers]

when i got my fj40 from a ranch in Nor Cal it had chains on all 4 tires, and let me tell you this i was impressed with what it would go up, I mean mud ruts all sorts of stuf.

 

[clownmidget]

Jim- yeah, I'm sorry I missed you guys but I had NO cell reception at all but that was a good thing Still, we were on the Mirror Lake trail about that time. Glad you guys made it safe and all had fun. Great pics from Devin's cabin!

We convinced the ranger at the Hetch Hetchy entrance to let us drive up as far as the dam on New Year's Eve and we almost got up to the back side of El Cap but it was crazy deep snow!!!

As for chains, it's a lot like tires choice and traction in my opinion. Put them in the rear and it "pushes" you the right direction most of the time and braking downhill - especially when icy - is a lot safer. The downside is that they'll also push your front end and the front tires will just plow along in a straight line even when you're trying to turn! This seems to be more true when going up hill when the front is already "light". Put them just on the front and you have great steering control but you're more likely to get your rear to come around on you when you descend at speed and then tap the brakes. Your front brakes do most of the braking anyway so the rear just breaks loose- scary! I don't think all four are really necessary unless you're going somewhere off the beaten path. That's where I really wanted them. I had them on the rear and was goofing off trying to go as far up a Forest Service road as I could and the front just kept plowing when I'd try to turn - even going really slow. This was in 2-3 ft + snow though and without a winch or anyone else with me it wasn't really the smartest thing. But I'll definitely be getting another pair - they are the bomb.